Variety of calla lily plant named ‘Vermont’

ABSTRACT

‘Vermont’ is a new variety of calla lily plant having inflorescences with a purple-colored spathe that produces 3-25 inflorescences per tuber. The height of the top of an inflorescence above the soil can reach up to 35 cm, and the leaves are dark green with whitish spots and have a leathery texture.

Botanical classification: Zantedeschia sprengeri.

Varietal denomination: ‘VERMONT’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of calla lily, botanically known as Zantedeschia sprengeri and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Vermont’.

‘Vermont’ is a product of a planned breeding program, which had the objective of creating Zantedeschia hybrids for pot flower production in a wide range of colors with a large, classic flower shape. The breeding program began in 1989, and the new cultivar is a seedling selected from the crossing of a Zantedeschia sprengeri selection referred to as ‘Garnet Glow’ (female parent, unpatented) with a Zantedeschia sprengeri selection referred to as ‘Allure’ (male parent, unpatented). ‘Vermont’ was selected in 2010 by the inventor in 't Zand, The Netherlands as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross.

The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘Vermont’ by tissue culture was performed by the inventor in September of 2010 in 't Zand, The Netherlands. Subsequent asexual reproductions by tissue culture at the same location have demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are retained and reproduced true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in 14 cm pots in 't Zand, The Netherlands under greenhouse conditions, which approximate those generally used in horticultural practice. Color references are made to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used.

The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and determined to be basic characteristics of ‘Vermont’ which, in combination, distinguish this calla lily as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Purple-colored spathe;     -   2. Natural dwarf plant architecture; and     -   3. High inflorescence production.

Further, when compared to calla lily plant named ‘Black Star’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,844), ‘Black Star’ has an upper and lower surface spathe color that varies between Greyed-Purple Group RHS 187A and Black Group RHS 202A, whereas the upper surface spathe color of ‘Vermont’ varies between Red-Purple Group RHS 60A and 60B and the lower surface spathe color of ‘Vermont’ varies between Green Group RHS 143B and 143C.

Table 1 provides similarities and differences of ‘Vermont’ to its parents, Zantedeschia sprengeri selections ‘Garnet Glow’ and ‘Allure’.

TABLE 1 ‘Vermont’ Similarities Differences ‘Garnet Glow’ Number of inflorescences Spathe color Leaf shape White leaf spots Spathe shape ‘Allure’ Leaf shape Spathe color Spathe shape Number of inflorescences

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, with the colors being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a plant of the new variety; and

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a group of multiple plants of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT The Plant

-   Size:     -   -   Height of the leaf canopy above the soil.—7-30 cm.         -   Height of top of inflorescence above the soil.—8-35 cm.         -   Diameter.—15-45 cm. -   Form: Erect. -   Number of inflorescences per tuber:     -   -   Size 14-16 cm in diameter.—3-7 inflorescences.         -   Size 16-18 cm in diameter.—8-17 inflorescences.         -   Size 18-20 cm in diameter.—8-25 inflorescences. -   Branches:     -   -   Character.—Many; like the variety ‘Odessa’ (U.S. Plant Pat.             No. 18,833).         -   Color.—Between Green Group RHS 143A and 143B. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Width: 2-7 cm. Length: 7-25 cm.         -   Number per plant.—20-40.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Color.—Upper surface: Green Group RHS 137A to 137B. Lower             surface: Green Group RHS 137B to 137C.         -   Margin.—Undulate; having a color of Green Group RHS 137A to             137B.         -   Veins.—Configuration: Pinnate. Color: Green Group RHS 137A             to 137B.         -   Surface quality.—Leathery.         -   Petiole.—Length: 5-20 cm. Color: The base is White Group RHS             155A, and the upper part is Green Group RHS 143A to 143B. -   Roots:     -   -   Color.—White.         -   Branching.—Similar to other Zantedeschia varieties.

The Inflorescence and Seeds

-   Spathe:     -   -   Size.—Length (measured from opening to tip): 4-9 cm. Width:             3.5-5 cm. Height: 3-8 cm.         -   Color.—Upper surface: Varies between Red-Purple Group RHS             60A and 60B. Lower surface: Varies between Green Group RHS             143B and 143C.         -   Vein color.—Between Red-Purple Group RHS 60A and 60B.         -   Shape.—Cupped. -   Spadix:     -   -   Size.—Length: 15-40 mm. Diameter: 3-10 mm. Color: Between             Yellow-Orange Group RHS 14A and 14B.         -   Position relative to spathe.—Upright. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Size.—Length: 7-25 cm. Diameter: 4-10 mm.         -   Color.—The upper part is between Green Group RHS 143A and             143B, and the lower part is Green-White Group RHS 157C. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Location of female organs.—Basal position of the spadix.         -   Location of male organs.—Upper position of the spadix.         -   Perianth.—Conspicuous.         -   Stamens.—Presence: Not visible before pollen release.             Number: More than 20. Pollen amount: Similar to ‘Picasso’             (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,282). Color: Between White Group RHS             155A and 155B.         -   Anther.—Shape: Round. Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: Between             Yellow-Orange Group RHS 14A and 14B.         -   Filament.—Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: Between White Group             RHS 155A and 155B.         -   Pistils.—Number: 15 to 30. Length beyond perianth: About 1             mm.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Round. Size: Less than 1 mm.         -   Style.—Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: Between Yellow-Orange             Group RHS 14B and 14C.         -   Ovaries.—Texture: Smooth. Length: Between 1 to 10 mm. Width:             Between 1 to 10 mm. Color: Top color is between Red Group             RHS 54A and Yellow-Green Group RHS 149D, bottom color is             from White Group RHS 155B to Green-White Group RHS 157C. -   Seeds:     -   -   Length.—4-7 mm.         -   Width.—3-6 mm.         -   Color.—Between Yellow-Green Group RHS 150A and 151A.         -   Amount.—Between 1-55.

General

-   Disease resistance: No unusual susceptibility to diseases noticed to     date. -   Pest resistance: No unusual susceptibility to pests noticed to date. -   Heat tolerance: No heat tolerance. -   Hardiness: Not hardy. -   Flowering: Tubers planted in a greenhouse in The Netherlands in     February produce inflorescences in April. Tubers planted outdoors in     The Netherlands in May produce inflorescences in July. -   Lastingness: About two weeks on the plant. -   Fragrance: None. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of calla lily plant named ‘Vermont’ as herein described and illustrated. 